Pear feeding and orienting



July l5, 1952 B. c. cooNs 2,603,331

PEAR FEEDING AND ORIENTING APPARATUS Original Filed Deo. 5, 1944 6 `Sheets-Sheet 2 .ii L Lziilliliilllilfili U INVENTOR auR'roN c. oo oNs AAW@ ATTORNEYS July 15, 1952 B. c. cooNs 2,603,331

PEAR FEEDING AND ORIENTING APPARATUS Original Filed Dec. 5, 1944 6 Sheets-Sheet I5 INVENTOR BURTON c. cooNs BY @ZJW n f1-W MM W ATTORNEYS July 15, 1952 B. c. cooNs PEAR FEEDING AND ORIENTING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed Dec. 5, 1944 INVENTOR BURTON C. COONS ATTORNEYS July 159 1952 B. c. cooNs 2,603,331

PEAR FEEDING AND ORIENTING APPARATUS Original Filed Dec. 5, 1944 l 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 F' l5' 14|: FI E l-'l gi G ' *eff x XX Q /JIf INVENTOR BURTON C. COONS ATTORNEYS July 15, 1952 B. c. cooNs PEAR FEEDING AND ORIENTING APPARATUS original Filed Dec. 5, 1944 e sheets-sheet e \9 @cobol-@s503971 dmmmin\m m N NNNNNNNNNN INVENTOR BURTON 6. GOO/VS Y e Hawai 'ATTORNEY Patented July 15, 1952 PEAR FEEDING AND ORIENTING APPARATUS Burton C. Coons, San Jose, Calif.,` assignor .to :Fo'odMachinery and Chemical Corporation, a

corporation of Delaware s claims. (01193-43) 1 v 'I'he present invention is concerned with certain new and useful improvements in apparatus for orienting and feeding fresh pears.

This application is a division of my copending application, Serial No. 566,694, led December 5, 1944, now Patent No. 2,581,634, issued January 8, 1952, for Pear yFeeding and orienting Apparatus. v

One object of the present invention is to providea pear orientingand feeding apparatus of simple andV inexpensive construction which requires a minimum amount of floor space. Y

I t is also anobject of the invention to provide a pearcrienting and feeding apparatus which is adapted for handling pears of all sizes and Ecoriguration and in which thejorientation of the pears is automatically controlled in accordance with the size of the fruit.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pear orienting and Yfeeding apparatus of large capacity and efcient operation. z

Other objects and advantages Aof the invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a -plan view of the pear feeding and orienting mechanism of the present invention in conjunction with a pear feeding or transfer unit of a pear preparation machine.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the upper portio of the machine shown in Fig. 1 taken along line 2 2 thereof.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of a portion of the machine shown in Figs. 1 and 2 taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1, some pearsl being shown in various stages of feeding during the operation of the machine.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal section of a portion of the machine taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 2 and showing a pear in various positions during feeding and orientation thereof.,

Fig. 5 is a cross section of ,a feed chute taken along line 5--5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a side view of a modified form of feed and orienting chute, certain portions being broken away while others are shownin section.

Fig. '7 is a plan View of the feed and orienting chute of Fig. 6 taken along line 'l-'l thereof.

Fig. 8 is a Vbottom view of the feed and orienting chute of Fig. 6 taken along line 8-8 thereof.

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section through the feed and orienting chute-taken along line 9-3 of Fig. 7, the chute being shown in its inclined position as installed in the machine in conjunction with a portion of its supporting and actuating mechanism, certain parts of which are shown in section while others are illustrated in elevation.

, Fig. 10 is a front'view of the feed and orienting chute taken in the direction arrowsJU-ID of Fig. '7, a pear being shown as it enters the chute.

Fig. 11 is a rear view of the chute taken along line l||| of Fig. 7, a pear being shown in the front end of the chute. o

Fig. 12 is an enlarged vertical section of a portion of the machine taken along line |2-I2 of Fig. 2.

n Fig. 13 is a side elevation of a portion of Fig.` 12 taken along line |3|3 thereof.

Figs. 14 and15 are diagrammatic views illustrating the operation of the feed chute assembly Vof the machine.

Fig. 16 is a perspective `view ofthe automatically adjustable chute shown in Figs. 6 to 1.1 inclusive. f Y

Fig. 17 is a section taken along the line ll-ll of Fig.`6. y

Fig. 18 is a sectional view taken along the line |81|8A of Fig. 6.

The pear feeding and orienting mechanism of the present invention comprises a feed and orienting chute assembly 3 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) into which individual pears are deposited inV timed intervals by any appropriatefeeding device such as for instance a conveyor or` elevator 2 while the pears discharged from the chute assembly 3 are deposited thereby in oriented position into a fruit holderor pocket such as for instance the feed or transfer mechanism 4.

The elevator 2 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) comprises a plurality of, transverse rows of feed cups` 44 mounted on transverse bars 43 in turn carried by endless .chains 4| and 42 trained around sprockets 38. and 39. The sprockets 38` and 39 are keyed to a shaft 24 rotatably mounted in bearings I9 and 22 of standardsl I1 and I8.

Keyed to the shaft 24 is a sprocket |03 which is driven by means of a sprocket chain |04 either by a separate motor or directly by the fruit handling or processing machine in conjunction with which the feeding and orienting mechanism of the presentv invention is employed.

`During the operation of the elevator 2, the cups 44 thereof (Fig. 3) are advanced through a vsupply hopper |01 containinga promiscuous mass of pears so that each cup removesasingle pear, feeds the same to and discharges thesame into the chute assembly 3. Y Y

Each cup 44 is provided with spaced rolls 9| and 92 and front wall portions 'I4 and 'I6 spaced from each other as shown at l1 (Fig. 2). During the conveyance of the pears by the cups 44 from the hopper '|01 to the chute assembly 3 the pears are oriented by the' rolls 9| and 92 and cups 44 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE i had to the same for a complete understanding;

thereof.

The chute assembly 3 comprises a pluralityof. I u

open ended feed and orienting chutes |5| and |52",

arranged adjacent each other 'inI alternate order:

(Fig. 1). All of the chutes are of identical' construction with the only exception that the chutes 1 |5| are considerably longer than the chutes |52. Therefore, the description of the constructionof only one chute |5| will be suffi-cient for all.

The chute |5| (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) is of sub;

stantially tubular configuration and is open at its.

top over the entire lengththereof as shown at |53" (Fig. 1). The wall portions |54 and |756 of the chute adjacent itslopen' top |53=farebent upwardly and ,outwardlyf as shown in Fig. 5 The `bottom portion |51 of the chute is provided with a rectangular guide channel I 58' whichfeiitends longitudinally ofthe chute-overy the entire lengtlif of the bottom |51 (Figs. l a'nd'4).` The front end oi.' the guide channel |58gis closed by a pla-te |599 provided with a tongue |6| projecting forwardly from the front end of the bottomy |51 ofv the'chute toward the elevator 4mechanism 2 inY slightlyfdeclined position relative-tothe chute?A Positioned behind the plate |'59and secured to'ithe bottom |51 of the chute is an abutment block |62?. This block closes a further portion of thel channel |58; projects slightlyt abovev the bottom' |551` and has an upper surface I-83' which is curved 'in conforme ity with the bottomzsurface |51 of the chutei.' The front edge |64 of the abutment block |62 is adapted to engage the bulb portion Aof pears deposited sidewise with the bulb portion in leading'position intovthe chute |5|A by theelevator mechanism 2, as shown in dotted lines atb' in Fig. 3,`so asy to effect turning: o f-these pears `as they gravitate toward', the rear'or discharge end |B8'of the chute todispose the vstern ends of the pears in leading position in whichthe saine are subsequently maintained .bytheir contact ,with the chute and" their reception in the. guide channel |58v thereof Vto therebyA effect discharge' of the pe'airsstem Aend first from the chute V|5|.` The pears discharged by the elevator 2 bulb end down intothelchute, as shown infull lines' at a jin Fig. 3, topple, readily over with their. stem ends into leading position as they gravitate down the chute without the assistance ofthe abutment |62 and are maintained in this position, by thechute and the' guidechannel |58 fordischarge'stem end yfirst therefrom.. Thesidewallportionsg |1|. and |12 of the chute |5|-as Wellas the upwardly. and outwardlybent portions |54 and` |56l `thereof .are flared outwardly toward? the frontend .f the.. chute, =as Ishown at |13 and|14 (Fig. 1)., andterminate into outwardly flared and upwardlyiincllihed 'guide walls |161.and |111 projecting fno'rfrif the'jfrlcnt end of `the `chute which `straddle the cups,y 441. of the.. eleva-tor.. 2 as they pass thesame (Figs. l, 3 and 4).

Theguide wa1-lsw|1|and |11 and the, curved portions |54 and |56- of the chute 5| are adapted to guide the stem end of the fruit toward thcenter of the chute and to facilitate the. entry of the pear into the tubular portion of the chute in such amannerthat-when the pear is turned with its stem` end into leading 4position either with or without assistance by theabutment block |52 during the downward gravitation of the pear along the chute, in a manner as previously referred to herein, the stem end of the fruit will enter the guide channel |58 whereby the fruit is maintained in orientedposition as it gravitates through the chute and is discharged therefrom.

I The tongue |6| is so constructed and arranged that it will enter the opening 11 in the front end of. the elevator cups 44 cooperating therewith and permit passage of the cups 44 without interference/therewith.

Each of the feedV and orienting chutes |5| and |52 issupported iri rearwardly declined position on'a shaft ZB-by means of supporting brackets IBI adjustably mounted on the shaft 26 but normally .15j

held iniiixedY position thereon by means of set screwsf |812; The shaft 26 is slidably mounted in bearings, 2 |c and 23 supported by the standards |1 and 8, respectively.

The` long feed and orienting chutes |5| are rearwardly declined in such a manner as to feed thepears oriented thereby stem end first into fruit receiving pockets'l''of. the'pear feeding'device 4, while the short feed'ard'orienting chutes |52 are rearwardly declinedin such a-manner as to feed the pears oriented 'thereby stem end rst into fruit receiving pockets |88` of the feed device 4 (Figa 1 and 3). Theangular disposition of the Ychutes |5| and |52 being such as to assure gravitation of the pears therethrough and proper discharge therefrom. YBy loosening and subsequently tightening the set screws |82-the angularity of the chutes maybe adjusted as desired.

v The construction oi' the feed or.v transfer mechanism 4, vonly fragmentaril'y shown'lnFigures l', 2, 3`, and 4, corresponds to that 'disclosed in Patent 1Y0/2,431,310, issued November 25., 1947. Ingeneral, this feed mechanism 4 comprises a group of pockets |86a and |8311. designated group I and a'group of pockets |'86b and `|f88li designated group II (Figs. 1,'14'and15); Each of these pockets lcomprises two separate pivotally mounted members |90 and |9| formingan open bottomed substantially frusto conical' cup which is opened 'and closed in timed relation ,with the operation of the fruit receiving means of a fruit preparation machine associated therewith (not shown).

The fruit receiving pockets: |88a and |8Ba of group I are simultaneously opened and closed under the control of an actuating arm |972; while the pockets |861) and |8812 of group II are opened and closed simultaneously. under the control of an actuating arm |93'. g The actuating arms |92 and |93 arel operated in `timed relation by the fruit preparationv machine infconnecti'on with which the transfer mechanism 4 is used. Both groupsof pockets I and. II are' alternately operated. v However, vtheir operation' is such that there a considerable period duringywhich the pockets of both' groups are closed and ready to receive fruit as will be apparent from mycopending application above referred to. I v

As previously stated, the' chutes |5| and |52 are mounted in alternate order on the-transversely movable shaft 26 andit should be further noted that the chutes are so arranged and spaced with respect to. each other. that. when the. large chutes |5|! are in alignment with the pockets |86a. and |86band the cups 44 of thelelevator mechanism 2 (Figs. 1 and-14); the short chutes |52 are out of alignment with the cups 44 and the fruit receiving pockets' |8780; and |9812. After the pears havebeen fed in orientedfpositionto the pockets |86a and |88a by the chute |5| the whole feed chute assembly 3 isftransversely shifted` in the direction of arrow1 |9|a|(Fig. 1) so as'to align the short feed chutes |52 with the elevator cups 44 of the elevator mechanism 2 vand. the pockets |88a and |8812 of the feed mechanism 4 into which the next pears are fed (Fig. Thereupon the feed ,chute assembly 3 is returned to its original position as shown in Figs. 1 and 14 and in this manner the-cycle of operation of the feed chute assembly repeats and continues during the operation of the machine.

The shifting of the feed chute assembly 3 in the manner as above described isv effected by a rotary cam |94 (Figs. l, 2, and 12) which is fixed on the shaft 24 for rotation therewith in the direction of arrow |95v in Figs. 1 and 12. The rotary cam |94 is provided with a groove |06 within which va cam roller |91 (Fig.,12) rotatablyy mounted on an'arm |98 is received. The arm |98 is mounted on the shaft 26 and .is fixed thereto by means of a key |99.v Rotatably mounted on the fr'ee end 20| of arm |90 isa roller 202 (Figs. 12 and 13) which` is received within a guide slot 203 of a transversely extending guide bracket 204 disposed parallel to shaft 26 and forming an integral part of the standard S previouslyreferred to. The cam groove |96 of the rotary cam |94 is undulated in such a manner as to'shift the arm |98, the shaft 2B and the feed chute assembly 3 carried thereby transversely back and forth from the position shown in Fig. v14 to the position shown in Fig. 15 in timed relation with the operation of the conveyor mechanism 2 and the feed mechanism 4 to effect alternate feeding of pears to the pockets |86a, |8619, and ISBa, |8819, in the manner above referred to. During the back and forth movement of the feed chute assembly 3, the roller 202 travels back and forth in the guide slot 203 of bracket 204 but prevents rotation of arm |98, shaft 20, and assembly3. n

The pears are normally discharged blossom end down from the cups 44 of the elevator 2 and are deposited stem end up between the flared extensions I|S and |11 at the receiving ends of the chutes |5| so that they fall with their blossom ends upon the tongues |6| of the chutes, as shown in full lines at a' in Fig. 3. The flared extensions l|16 and |11 of each feed chute |5| guide the stem end of the pear toward the center of the chute, while-the momentum imparted upon the pear during itsY discharge from the cup 44 and the inclination of the chute to cause the pear to topple over on its side whereby the stem end of the pear is disposed .into leading position, as shown at c in Fig. 3. Thereupon, the pear laying onv its side slides downward along the chute and discharges stern end first therefrom.

Any pears, however, discharged from the elevator cups sidewise into the chute with their blossom ends disposed in leading position, as shown in dotted lines at b' in Fig. 3, are guided into the chute by the flared extensions |16 and |11 as they slide downwardly along the chute. During'the downward travel of these pears, the bulb or blossom end thereof strikes against the front edge |64 of the abutment block |02, as shown in full lines at d in Fig. 4, whereby the downward movement of the blossom end of the pear is retarded. In View of the momentum imparted upon the fruit during its discharge from the elevator cups, the fruit is caused to topple overin the direction of arrow 206 (Fig. 4) as soon as the downward movement ofthe bulb or blossom end thereof is retarded by the abutment block |62 whereby the pear is disposed with the stem end thereof in leading position with the pear laying on its side, as shown at e in Fig. 4, in which position the 'f andoutwardly curved portions |54 and |56 of the chute until the pear is received entirely within" the feed chutel |5| land the stem end thereof is disposed in leading position. During this orientation of the fruit, the stem e'nd thereof drops into the guide 'channel |58 in the bottom 51,Vas's`hown at 201 (Fig.4 which maintains the pear with its stem vendin leading position and guides the pear during its further travel through the chute so that the pear leavesthe discharge end |66 of the chute, stem end down, as shown at 208 (Fig. 4).,` and subsequently slides stern end rst into the pocket |86a disposed therebeneath in closed or fruit receivingposition. Due to the 'conical conguration of the pocketgla, the fruit is disposed andsupported stem 'end down therein as shown in dotted lines at 29 in Fig. 4.

The diameter of the tubular chutes |5| and |52 is larger than the diameter of the fruit but is such that when a pear has been completely received therein and is approximately in a position as shown at e (Fig. 4),'thepear is prevented from turning sidewise or turning over about its stem end. However, the diameter of the chutes is sufficiently large to permit free gravitation of the pears vthrough the chute. vSince the pears vary considerably in size, it is therefore necessary to grade the pears so as to assure that theyare neither too small nor too large with respect to the diameter of the chutes. Chutes of different diameter are employed for small, medium size, or' large pears, as `will be obvious to lthose skilled in the art.

After the pears discharged from one transverse `row of cups 44 of the elevator'2 into the chutes |5| have been oriented and delivered by said chutes to the pockets IBa and |8611, and whilev the next transverse row ofelevator cups approaches its discharge position, the feed chute 'assembly 3l is shifted from its position shown in Figs. 1 and 14 to its position shown in Fig.v 15 by the rotary cam |94 in the manner as previously vdescribed herein. n j

=When the feed chuteA assembly arrives'in the position as shown in Fig'. 15,`the short feed chutes |52 are now aligned with the succeeding row of elevator cups 44 and the pockets |88@ and |881), so that vwhen the pears carried by these succeeding ,elevator cupsare discharged therefrom they are deposited into the short feed chutes |52`wherein vthey are oriented and by which they are conveyed to the pockets |8811.` and |8817l in the same manner as previously described in connection with chutes |5| and pockets |86a' andV |8617.

After a pearhas been fed to each pocket |05 ofthe feed mechanism-4, all pockets |861) and 1881) of group II are rapidly'opened and closed to discharge the pearsstem end down therefrom into one group of fruit receiving and holding means of` a fpear processing machine, as shown in said Patent No. 2,431,310, and thereafterl all pockets |8611 and |88a of group I of the feed mechanism 4 are rapidly opened and-closed to discharge the pears stemend down from the same into another group of fruit receiving and holding means of a pearprocessing machine, while the 'feed chute assemblyv 3 is returned to the posirepeats land continues inlthe same Ymanner Vas.

described herein;

It has been2 mentioned in thel above that; by using the feed chutes .as shownt 15| and.I |52. it is neqessary to gradethe;fru.it.a.11.f.1.thatv Chutes f different diameter-must belemployedfor-Smell., medium size, or large pears. Therefore, when changing from; one toanother sizeof pearsl it is necessaryto exchange the feedfcliutes. Since the exchange ofY feedv chutes is time consuming. and may be undesirable, a modified .form of feed and orienting chute, as shown-in Figs. 6 to.11inclu siveand 16, 17 and 18 may be employed instead of the feed chutes YI| and |52previously del--l scribedherein, It being understood, however, that while only a short modified chute structure 2|6 which corresponds in length to theshort chutes I52;.has been shown herein, longerchutes of the SQWCQHSWC'OT! which CQY'IBSDODd in length t0 thev chutesi I5I are employed in alternate order therewith in` thesame manner asthe short and long chutes I5I and |52, previously described herein, as will be apparent to those versed inthe art.

'1 -he chute` 2-I6 (Figs. 6 to 11, 16, .17- and 18) comprises an open ended trough 2I1 of substantially semi-circular confluration incross section and an automatically adjustable vfloatingguide structure 2I8` associated therewith. `The trough 2I1 is ofk sufficient width to permit passage of the largestpears therethrough and the bottom portion 2 I 9 thereof isprovided with a guide channel 22| of substantially rectangular configuration in cross section which extends over the entire length ofthe bottom in the center thereof. Mounted within the guide channel 22| and projecting from the front end of the trough 2I1 in forwardly declined position relative thereto is a tongue 222, which is adapted to extend into opening 1-1 and into the space between the rolls 9| and 92 ofthe elevator 2 so thatthe cups 44 may freely pass the same. The rear end of the tongue 222 is formed into a protuberance 22,3 extending transversely of the bottom portion 2I9 (Figs. 7 andv 9) and projecting intov the trough 2 I-1 slightly above the bottom portion thereof. The forward ends of the side walls of the trough 2I1 designated 224 and 225 respectively terminate into outwardly flared and laterally inclined-extensions 226 and 221 which project forwardly beyond the curved body portionof the chute.

The floating guide 2 I8 comprises two side members 228 and 229 connected together by a stiff arched wire 23|, the ends of which are welded at 2372 and 233, respectively (Fig. 7), to` the side members 228- and 229 of theA guide 2I8.y The arched connecting wire 23| clears the gap between the side members 228l and 229 by. a height sufficient to permit free movement of the stem end of a pear tumbling over endwse along the trough 2I1 beneath the wire 23| toward the stem end down position shown in dot-dash lines in Fig. 9.

Each of the side members 228 and 229 has a transversely disposed flat portion 236 adapted torest on the upper edges of the trough 2 I 1 when the floating guide 2I8 is in its normal position with no fruit in the trough. The inner marginal edge of each flat portion 236 is bent upwardly and outwardly to form a curved inner guide wall 231 which is substantially co-extensive with the sides of the trough2|1 for guiding the necks of the pears (Figs. 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18) as the pears are toppled over endwise in the trough. The outer marginal edge portion of each of the side members 228 and 229 is bent downwardly to form a flat vertical side flange 238.

A tapered forward end portion 24| of each of theside members 228and 229 is bent upwardly to lie at an acute angle to the flat portion 236 thereof, the angle between the flat side portion 236 and therupwardly bent tapered forward portion 24| being such that the forward portions 24| will rest on the inclined upper edges of the forwardly extending trough entrance end portions 224 and 225 when the flat portions 236 of the side members 228 and 229 are resting on the upper edges of the trough side walls. Each tapered forward end portion 24| of the side members is flat and the inner edge thereof tapers outwardly toward the straight vertical side flange 238, coming to a rounded point 24Ia at its forward end.

A forwardly tapered stem end guiding and centering plate 242 is brazed onto the inner edge of each upwardly offset forward portion 24| of the side members 228 and 229. Each stem end guiding and centering plate 242 extends rearwardly a sufllcient distance to overlap the forward edge of the reversely curved guide wall portion 231. Each of the two centering and guide plates 242 has a vertical intermediate portion 244 (Figs. 16 and 17), an outwardly curved upper marginal edge portion 241, and an outwardly bent lower portion 243. The lower edge of the lower portion 243 has a slight clearance from the forwardly extending trough side wall portions 226 and 221 to prevent binding thereon when the floating guide assembly 2I8, of which these tapered front end guide portions are parts, is resting on the upper edges of the trough as shown in Figs. 6, 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18.

The entire floating guide structure 2I8, comprisingA the side members 228 and 229, the arched connecting wire 23 I and the forward tapered centering and guide plates 242 has a floating connection with the side walls 224 and 225 of the trough 2I1 through a pair of links 25| and 252 (Figs. 6, 8, 9, and 18). The forward ends of the links 25| and 252 are pivotally connected to the vertical side flanges 238 of the side members 228 and 229 by pivot pins 253 and 254, respectively (Figs. 6 and 7). The rearward ends of the links 25| and 252 are similarly pivotally connected to the trough side walls 224 and 22 5, respectively, by pivot pins 256 and 251. Each link has a rearwardly extending portion 258 which is adapted to engage a stop abutment 26| on each side wall of the trough to limit upward pivotal movement of the links. and thereby to limit the upward movement of the floating guide assembly.

The chute 2I6 is provided with a supporting bracket I8Ia, which is of the same construction asthe supporting bracket I6I previously referred to herein and by means of which the chute is secured in rearwardly declined position to the transversely movable shaft 26 (Fig. 9).

When the modified form of the chute 2I6 is employed in connection with the machine of the present invention, a plurality of short and long chutes of this type are arranged in alternate order on the shaft 26 in rearwardly declined positions to form a chute assembly which issimilar to and operated in the same manner as the chute assembly 3 previously described herein.

All of the chutes 2 I6 function in the same manner, and, therefore, only the description of the function of one chute 2 I6 is given herein.

When a pear is discharged blossom end down by one of the feed cups 44 of the elevator 2 into the front end of the chute 2 I 6, the blossom end of the fruit is received by the tongue 222 and is guided by the flared extensions 226 and 221 to- Ward the center of the chute. Thereupon in view 9 .of the declination ofthel chute, the pear gravitatesinto the chute and topples over-fw'ith its stemend into leading position `in the same manner, as previously described herein in connection with chute |51.- l

Whena pear, however, is deposited sidewise into vthe chute 2l6 with the blossom end of the pear in leading position the pear gravitates downwardly in this position until the blossom end strikes the abutment 223. This engagement of the abutment 223 with the blossom end retards the downward movement thereof so that in view of the momentum of the fruit the same topples over whereby the pear is disposed with its stem end in leading position in the same manner as set forth in the above in connection with chute In either case, however, the neck portion of the pear is received between the guide plates 222l and is guided thereby andthe curved guide walls 231 asthe pear topples over as above described (Figs. 9, 10, and 1l).

When a small pear is deposited into the chute 216, the guide 218 remains in its normal or lowermost position as shown in Fig. 6. However, if a pear of medium or large size is deposited into the chute 216, the bulb portion of the fruit engages the lower sides 243 of the stem end centering and guide plates 242 on the forward ends of the side members 228 and 229 of the floating guide assembly 218 (Figs. 9, 10, 11, 16 and 17) and lifts the front end of the guide 2I8 sufliciently, as shown in full lines in Fig. 9, to permit entry of the pear into the trough 2 I 7. As the fruit topples over, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 9, and gravitates toward the discharge end 266 of the chute the neck of the pear is guided during the endwise tipping of the pear between the curved inner edge portions 231 of the side members 228 and 229. As soon as the pear is disposed with its stem end in leading position, the stem end of the pear enters the guide channel 22| which retains the same in this position during further travel of the fruit through the chute. The guide walls 244 and the curved edges 241 assist in properly guiding the fruitV and as soon as the oriented pear is completely received within the chute 216 and is about in the position as shown in dot-dash lines at 269 (Fig. 9) and of such size that its bulb portion engages the top portions 236, the guide r218 pivots about the pivot pins 253 and 254 from its full line position to the position shown in dot-dash lines in Fig. 9 whereby the front end of the guide is lowered and the rear end of the guide is lifted to permit further passage of the pear through the chute and subsequent discharge of the fruit stern end rst therefrom. It should be noted, however, that the position of the guide 218 varies continuously as the fruit gravitates toward the discharge end of the chute. im soon as the pear leaves the chute, or if the bulb portion of the pear does not engage the top portions 236 after it has passed the front end of the guide, the guide 213 returns by its own gravity to its original position as shown in Fig. 6.

The top portions 236 which either engage the bulb portion of the pear or are slightly spaced therefrom, depending upon the size of the fruit, prevent turning of the pear about its stem end after orientation of the pear and during its further travel through the chute.

The entire guide structure 2|8 is of very light weight so that the same is easily lifted by the fruit and does not noticeably affect the gravitation of the pear through the chute while in engagement therewith.

n. -From the above it will, therefore, be seen that whenthemodied chute structure 216 is used. pears of alllsizesmay be fedin properly oriented position, i. e., stem end first into the pockets [86 and l88of thefeed mechanism 4 or into' any other type vof fruitreceiving means of a fruit handling or processing machine without changing of the chutes of thefchute assembly 3 for-different sizes offruit ,im While'lfhave shown and described ja preferred embodiment of my invention, such invention is capable of `modification and variation without departing fromthespirit and scopethere'of as defined in the claims appendedhereto.

HavingV thus Ydescribed my invention, what I claimjasjnew and; desire :to protect byLetters 1. In a pear feeding and orienting apparatus, a `chute to receive and guide pears along a downwardly sloping` path, said chute having spaced downwardly converging side walls disposed to engage and align a pear with its stem blossom axis lengthwise of the chute, and an abutment provided between said side walls to engage and turn a pear end to end to dispose its stem end in leading position during movement of the pear down the chute.

2. In a pear feeding and orienting apparatus, a chute disposed to receive and guide pears along a downwardly sloping plane, said chute having spaced downwardly converging side walls disposed to engage and align a pear with its stern blossom axis lengthwise of the chute, and an abutment provided betwen said side walls within said chute to engage and turn a pear end to end to dispose its stem end in leading position during movement of the pear down the chute, said side walls being provided with spaced guides to receive and guide the stem end cf a pear therebetween when the pear is engaged by said abutment and turned end to end to dispose the stem end thereof in leading position.

3. In a pear feeding and orienting apparatus, a chute to receive and guide pears along a downwardly sloping plane, said chute having spaced downwardly converging side walls disposed to engage and align a pear with its stem blossom axis lengthwise of the chute, an abutment provided between said side walls to engage and turn a pear end to end to dispose its stem end in leading position for movement down the chute, and a guide channel extending longitudinally along the bottom of the chute beyond said abutment to receive and guide the stem end of a pear.

4. In'a pear feeding and orienting apparatus, a chute having open receiving and discharge ends and disposed in a downwardly sloping position, said chute having spaced side walls disposed to engage and align a pear with its stem blossom axis lengthwise of the chute, and an abutment provided between said side walls to engage and turn a pear endwise to dispose its stem end in leading position, the portions of said side walls adjacent the receiving end of the chute being formed and arranged to define an inwardly converging opening t0 receive a pear.

5. In a pear feeding and orienting apparatus, a chute to receive and guide pears along a downwardly sloping plane, said chute having spaced downwardly converging side walls disposed to engage and align a pear with its stem blossom axis lengthwise of the chute, an abutment provided between said side walls to engage and turn a pear end to end to dispose its stem end in leading position during the movement of the pear down the chute, and spaced interconnected guide members definingA a passageway extending longitudinally of the chute and'movable relative thereto in a vertical plane medially between'the side walls to receive and lguide a pear stem end during movement of the latter from a' trailing to a leading position within the' chute and to prevent subsequent end'wise turning of the pear.

6. In a, pear feeding and orienting apparatus, an inclined chute to receive and guideY pears along a downwardly sloping plane, said chute having spaced downwardly converging side walls disposed to engage and align a pear with its stem blossom axis lengthwiseof the chute, an abutment provided between saidsidewalls. withinthe chute to engage and turn a pear end to end to dispose its stem end in leading position during its movement down the chute, spaced interconnected guide members dening a passageway extending longitudinally of the chute to receive and guide a pear stem end during movement of the latter from trailing to leading position within the chute, and connecting links supporting said guide members for vertical and pivotal movement relative to said chute responsive to engagement ofpears of various sizes, said links being pivotally connected at one of their ends saidguide members and aty their other ends to said side walls'. Y

' BURTON C. COONS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED 'STATES PATENTS Number' Name Date 178,263 Mossl July 5, 1892 876,291v Blakeslee Jan. 7, 1908 928,725 Wing July 20, 1909 20 1,527,337 Wilcox Feb. 24, 1925 2,004,349 Schwab June 11, 1935 

